Here are some recent photos I've taken, many of which were shot on hikes in the Snoqualmie Pass area of the Alpine-Lakes Wilderness. This area is less than an hour's drive from Seattle. With most summits at 4-6,000 feet, you find an alpine climate with cool air and a good deal of sun, at least in the summer (July-October); beautiful wildflowers, marmots, picas, & several types of birds. The views are pretty spectacular as you can see below.